Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 17,405, Peter Farnum, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER
Conn.
Farnum, Peter Farnam
S. 17405.
Carded.
CONTENTS
[Lined area for entry]
[Lined area for entry]

17.945
Connecticut
Peter Farnum  Farnam Newton in the State of Conn who was a Pri in the Conn commanded by Captain _____ of the Regt commanded by Col Douglas in the Conn Troops due for 9 mo
Inscribed on the Roll of Conn at the rate of 20 Dollars _____ Cents per annum. to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 14 th day of Feb to BB and Lieut. General Newton
Arrears to the 4th of Sept. 33 $ 75 Semest. allowance ending Mar - 15 $90
{ Revolutionary Claim, } { Act June 7, 1832. }
Recorded by E. D. Williams Clerk, Book 6 Vol. 3 Page 14

Declaration.
In order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
State of Connecticut, County of Fairfield, Probate District of Newtown ss: Newtown. On this 30 th day of July A.D. 1832 personally appeared, in open Court, before Samuel C. Blackman Esquire Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Newtown now sitting, Peter Farnum a resident of Newtown, in the County of Fairfield & District aforesaid, in the State of Connecticut in the seventy eighth year of his age, who being duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7 th 1832
That he was born in the parish of Northford in the Town of Branford in the County of New Haven in the State of Connecticut; and resided there with his parents until he was of a suitable age to go to a trade; he was then bound to Gideon Rogers of the same place to learn the trade of a hatter, with whom he continued until he was twenty one years of age. There is no record of his age that he knows of & that he does not know his own age with certainty. He recollects his birth day comes on the 4 th day of January and that he was twenty one years of age the next January succeeding the battle at Bunker's hill and the possession of Boston by the British. That soon after the battle at Bunker's hill, he by the consent of his Master turned out with the effective men in the neighbourhood to go to Boston or near there to defend the Country against the British. That it was a voluntary turnout of almost all the males of the Country where he lived, They proceeded as far as Hartford in Connecticut and concluded to return, which they did. That he was gone from home only two or three days. That in the Spring after he had arrived to the age of twenty one years, the precise time he does not recollect, he was drafted for a month

to guard the shore at Branford. The claimant does not recollect any of the officers which composed the guard nor does he now recollect how many there were called out; he thinks, however, there was but a small number; and the principal object was to prevent the British & refugees from plundering cattle from the Branford shore. He served his time out (a month) and was dismissed & returned home. He has no written discharge, nor ever had as he recollects, nor does he know of any person now living who can testify to the above mentioned service. That after he had served his month out as above stated, he returned to live as a journeyman with his former master in the parish of Northford aforesaid. That soon after, he was drafted to go on to Long Island on a tour of duty for two months, and actually served the term out. The claimant cannot recollect the precise time when this term of service commenced; but he recollects it was near the time of harvest when he returned at the close of the service. He served under Capt. Reuben Rose of Branford, Lieutenant Potter & Ensign Truesdale. The claimant is not positive but believes the Colonel's name who commanded the Regiment was William Douglass. That they were stationed on Long Island near New York and spent a few days in the City of New York. But were employed, while on the Island, the principal part of the time in throwing up breastworks & forming intrenchments. He well recollects that they were reviewed by General Lee while in the City of New York. When the term of time was out, they were dismissed on the Island. He never had any written discharge & he knows of no document by which he can prove the above facts; nor is there any person living, that he knows of who can testify to any of the above service. That soon after his return from his two months tour of duty as above stated and in the season of harvest, the day of the month he does not recollect, he believes it to have been in the month of July, he enlisted as a volunteer for a tour of duty of six months to go to Tienduroga. He enlisted under Capt. Thatcher (at that time) of New Haven, and served under him. The company were mustered at New Haven & marched from there in about a week, as the claimant believes, for Tienduroga. The claimant

recolls marching through Bennington to Skenesborough, where, & in the neighborhood, they remained until the winter. There was, the claimant believes a regiment or nearly a regiment there. Colonel Swift commanded the regiment, who was under General Watkins. Capt. Thatcher had under him Lieutenant Chamberlain & Ensign Ambrose Baldwin. We were employed in erecting fortifications at Skenesborough, & used to draw timber down the sides of the mountains; boards & planks were sawed & brought from Fort Ann. We frequently went to Fort Ann in boats & got boards & planks for the fortifications. They used to lodge in a large stone barn at Skenesborough. The claimant was taken sick while at Skenesborough with fever & ague and then with dysentery & was so reduced that his life was despaired of; and while sick with fever & ague, all except the sick moved off in boats to Ticonderoga. There were a few who were left at Skenesborough sick, who were unable to be moved. Two died there whose names were Dan Bartholomew & John Factor Monroe. They both died in the said barn. Mops Hawkins & John Elwell got out to private houses, but both died, all soldiers belonging to that corps. Dysentery was the prevailing complaint with which they died. The claimant, when the troops moved off to Ticonderoga was able to be about & assist in taking care of the sick and for that purpose was left at Skenesborough, but was soon taken down with dysentery and needed assistance as well as the others. A few weeks after the troops moved from Skenesborough, as herein stated, the father in law of the claimant came after him; but at that time he was unable to be moved, his said father in law remained there until the claimant had so far recovered as to be able to be moved, when his six months term of service had nearly expired, & he with his father in law set out to come home. They got four miles the first day and as he gained a little every day, they moved on further until they got home. The claimant was not able to do any

labor for almost a year from the time he got home. The six months term of service was nearly expired when they got home. At a subsequent period when the whole corps had returned the claimant called for his wages. Lieutenant Chamberlain objected to paying the whole because he did not stay all his time out; but on consultation, the officers agreed that he was entitled to full pay which he afterwards received. The claimant has no documentary evidence & he knows of no person, whose testimony he can procure, who can testify to any of his services above stated. The claimant was in no battle while in the above mentioned service. The claimant would, however, state that when the British came to New Haven & destroyed & plundered the stores there, the militia were called out from Branford & the neighbouring towns, and the claimant was one among them; and was, at that time, engaged in a skirmishing; he among the others at the distance of about fourteen rods, fired at the British & were fired at by them.
The claimant lived at Branford until the war was over, soon after which he moved to said Newtown and lived as a journeyman hatter with Samuel Biers of that place (since deceased) for two years, he then moved to a place which is now called Monroe in the County of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, where he set up his trade and continued there as near as he can recollect six or seven years; he then lived with his brother in law in the State of New York at a place called Can'twights patent for about a year; the next year he lived in Stratford in Fairfield County & State of Connecticut; and since that time for about thirty years he has resided in said Newtown: That he has seldom been to Branford since he first moved from there; about five years since he was there for the last time. That he is now very lame & decrepit, and cannot

without assistance, get about; and that he is now supported by the Town of Newtown, being unable to support himself.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the Agency of any State.
Peter Farnum
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid Samuel C. Blackman Judge of the Court of probate for the District of Newtown
I Elijah Sherman Deacon of the Baptist Church residing in the Town of Newtown, hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Peter Farnum who has subscribed & sworn to the above and foregoing declaration. That I believe him to be about seventy seven or seventy eight years of age; and although his reputation of being a Soldier in the war of the revolution is not known in this place; yet as I consider him to be a man of truth, and as he sustains a good character for truth & veracity; from the declaration above under oath by him I believe him to have stated truly.
Elijah Sherman
affirmed in legal form & subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Samuel C. Blackman Judge of the Court of probate for the District of Newtown, State of Connecticut, County of Fairfield, Probate District of Newtown ss: Newtown.
On the 21 st day of August 1832 personally appeared, in open Court, before Samuel C. Blackman Esquire Judge of the Court of probate

for the District of Newtown now sitting John Sanford Esquire, a resident of said Newtown and being duly sworn according to law, made and subscribed the following affidavit, to wit
I John Sanford residing in the Town of Newtown do hereby certify that I am in the seventy first year of my age. That for about thirty years I have been acquainted with Peter Farnum, who subscribed the foregoing declaration; that at his request, I was present in Court on the 30 th day of July 1832 and heard the greater part of the declaration, which he has subscribed, from his own mouth; when business required my attention out of Court. I have now read the declaration sworn to and subscribed by him. I believe the said Peter Farnum to be about seventy eight years of age. I have always considered him, and now believe him to be an honest, inoffensive man. His character for truth is good. From my knowledge of him and his character, and from the manner in which he related his declaration, I fully believe him to have served as therein stated.
There is no officiating Clergyman in the Town of Newtown, who has been settled in the place more than a year past, & who, I should think, would be acquainted with him, nor do I think he ever acquired the character or reputation, in said Newtown, of having been a soldier of the Revolution, he being a man of but few words.
John Sanford
Sworn to and subscribed in open Court on the 28 th day of August A.D. 1832.
Samuel C. Blackman Judge of the Court of probate for the District of Newtown.

And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the war department, that the above named Applicant was a revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies that it appears to said Court that there is no officiating Clergyman in said Newtown, who is presumed to be acquainted with the Character & reputation of the applicant; and that Elijah Sherman, who has signed a preceding certificate is a Deacon of the Baptist Church in said Newtown and a resident therein; and that John Sanford Esquire, who has also signed a preceding certificate is a resident in said Town of Newtown; and that the said Elijah Sherman and John Sanford are influential men in Society and credible persons and that their statements are entitled to credit.
Samuel C. Blackman Judge of the Court of probate for the District of Newtown
I, Elizer W. Steele, Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Newtown, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said court, in the matter of the application of Peter Farnum. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal of office this 25 th day of August A.D. 1832
Elizer W. Steele - Clerk of Probate for the District of Newtown

State of Connecticut, County of Fairfield, Probate District of Newtown Jr. Newtown, I Samuel C. Blackman Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Newtown do hereby certify that Elizer W. Keeler, whose name is subscribed in his proper hand writing to the foregoing certificate, is and at the time thereof was Clerk of said Court of Probate, duly appointed and qualified and that the seal affixed to said certificate is the genuine seal of said Court; and that full credence is due to the official acts of said Clerk so authenticated.
August 24 th 1832
Samuel C. Blackman

State of Connecticut, County of Fairfield, Probate District of Newtown Jr: Newtown
On this 8 th day of July A.D. 1833 personally appeared in open court, before Samuel B. Blackman Esq. Judge of the court of probate for the District of Newtown, now sitting. Peter Farnum a resident of said Newtown: who subscribed & made oath to theforesgoing declaration; & being again duly sworn according to law; in order to amend his said declaration, deponeth and saith. That for the two or three days which I turned out as a volunteer & went as far as Hartford as stated in said declaration, I claim no pension - That in the Spring after I had arrived at the age of twenty one years, I was drafted & served a month on guard at Branford, in guarding the coast, as I have stated in my declaration - That was in the Spring of the year 1776 - This I know, not from recollection, now, what year it was, but from ascertaining that the battle at Bunker's hill, otherwise, some terms called Breed's hill, was in June 1775 - I well remember I was twenty one years of age the January following, which was 1776 - That by reason of old age & other infirm- ities, & the consequent loss of memory I cannot state with certainty at what time the service was performed, but according to my best recollection and belief it was mostly in the month of April - I should think the term of service ended before the month of April had expired - I am positive I served a month at that time - According to my best recollection, the guard was commanded by a Sergeant whose name was Jacob Brumell He was either a sergeant or Lieutenant. I am not sure which - The guard was small, I should think

about here hereafter, was the number it consisted of. That, after my months service had expired as above stated in my declaration, I commenced living with my former master as a journeyman Hatter - And when I had lived with him but a few days, I should say, short of a week, I was drafted to go to Long Island on a tour tour of duty of two months as stated in my declaration. This two months tour com- menced, according to my best recollection, on about the first of May 1776, or within a week from the first of May & continued for two months - I am sure I received out the two months on this occasion - According to my best recollection we served served under Col. Douglass who I should think com- manded the regiment on the Island. The Captain, Lieutenant, & Ensign I mentioned in my declaration.
As respects my six months tour to the Northward, by reason of loss of memory as above stated I cannot tell the day of the month when I enlisted but from my best recollection & belief it was as early as the middle of July 1776. I remember I cradled grain for harvesting the day I enlisted & the next day we were mustered & paraded at New Haven. The events which followed all are, it is believed, sufficiently stated in my declaration & all the officers under whom I served in this six months tour - I did not leave my six months tour out within about a week according to my best recollection, owing to my being sick; but as that (sickness) was the cause, & the officers, at that time, thought me in- titled to, & actually paid me my wages for the whole six months, I suppose myself entitled to a pension for the whole time - In all the above services I served in the capacity of a private & was not employed in any civil pursuit during any of the time above stated

I therefore claim a pension for nine Months services as above stated, all which services were performed in the year 1876.
Peter Farnum
Sworn to and subscribed the day & year last aforesaid
Samuel C. Blackman Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Newtown State of Connecticut, County of Fairfield, Probate District of Newtown ss. Newtown. on this 26 th day of August A.D. 1883 personally appeared, in open Court, before Samuel C. Blackman Esq. Judge of the Court of Probate for the District of Newtown, now sitting, Peter Farnum, who being again duly sworn according to law, he being the same Peter Farnum who subscribed the foregoing declaration, & testifies that in the six months term for which he entitled & served at the Northward as stated in his declaration, he is sure he did not leave more than a week of said six months service he also testifies that he found the depositions of Phineas Beach & Sarah Harrison and that he, the deponent is meant by the intended by the name of Peter Farnham in said depositions he did not notice when the deposition was taken how it was spelt; but is sure that he the deponent is meant & intended by the name by the name of Peter Farnham in said deposition he the deponent is meant & intended,
Peter Farnum
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year last above written. Samuel C. Blackman Judge of Probate for the District of Newtown

J. Eliza W. Keeler, Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Newton, do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of Peter Farnum. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & seal of Office this 29 th day of August, 1833
Eliza W. Keeler, Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Newton

This may certify that it was in the year 1796 that Mr. Fairham served as a soldier at the Northward — Jonathan Hartley

Red Haven County ss North Branford Feb 2 nd 1833 Personally appeared Sarah Harrison and made solemn oath that she is half sister to the within Phoebe Beach and was Eighty years old last April - also bath sworn to the truth of the within deposition to which she hath subscribed
Ralph Linsley Just of Peace
I further certify that the said Sarah Harrison is well known to me and that she is a credible Witness and a person of truth and veracity and that her statement in my opinion is entitled to full faith and credit North Branford Aug 15 th 1833
Ralph Linsley Just of Peace
I further certify that the said Phoebe Beach is well known to me and that she is a credible witness a person of truth & veracity and that her statement in my opinion is entitled to full faith & credit Wallingford Aug 15 th 1833
Michael Cooke Just of Peace
State of Connecticut County of New Haven I hereby certify that Michael Cooke & Ralph Linsley are Justices of the Peace in the said County duly qualified according to the laws of the state of the same and are persons of truth and veracity and that the foregoing certificates are true and correct copies of the originals on file in my office In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County this 16 th day of August 1833 M c Lean Clerk

I Phinehas Beach of North Branford in the County of New Haven & State of Connecticut, do hereby say that I was sixty nine years of age last December & am half brother of Peter Tannham now of Newtown in the County of Fairfield. That I well recollect that some time in the year previous to the capture of Gen. Burgoyne the said Peter Tannham enlisted in the American Army & went to the Northward. That he was there about six months & was taken sick with the Camp Distemper & from Ague at a place called Stillwater though & that my Father went after & brought him home quite low & feeble & further the deponent saith not (Dated after 1 st day February 1833.
Phinehas Beach
New Haven County ss
Northford February 1 st 1833
Personally appeared Phinehas Beach and made solemn oath that the above deposition by him subscribed contains the truth, the whole truth & nothing but the truth before me Malachi Cook Jr. Just. of Peace
The above deposition from Phinehas Beach is personally known to be true. The facts therein mentioned & perfectly well remembered.
Sarah Harrison
Northford Feb. 1 st 1833

174105 INVALID.
File No. 174105
Peter, Herman
Mr. New York
Act: June 7 th 82
Index:—Vol. 1 , Page 122
[Arrangement of 1870.]

9 th June #30
Elainard

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims , of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Peter Farnum which require further proof or explanation.
I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for his not doing so? IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? NO V. * Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? NO Vile Green 5 last clause VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? NO VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal?

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? XIV. † If the applicant's name is not found on the rolls of military service, has he produced a witness or witnesses as to his service? If he has produced direct proof as to service, has the magistrate who administered the oath, certified to the credibility of the witness or witnesses? Has the proper officer certified to the official character and signature of the magistrate as the regulations direct? XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? XVI. ‡ Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered?
 EXPLANATORY NOTES.
* QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words: "Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours; the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must in every case be clearly shewn under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
†QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
‡QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
¶ In every case where the clerk of the court, or other certifying officer, has no public seal of office, the certificate of a member of congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.